“Next Generation NOW” is a dedicated section of PURPOSE Magazine that highlights our next generation voices. This is a platform for brilliant college and high school scholars, so they can make a lasting impact and positive change in the global community.
Howard University
Biology
Kayla Grant
Howard University
Audio
Production Major Class of ‘26
Howard University
Advertising Major Class of ‘26
Columbus
Interior
Architecture
Design Major
Fine Arts Minor Class of
Columbus School of Art & Design
Fine Arts Major Class of ‘26
Monique Lavoie
Major Class of ‘27
Luke P. Cooper
College of Art and Design
‘27
Aubriana Hills
Howard University Biology Major Class of ‘27
VaNia Ellison
Maurielle Cooper
HBCU’s Howard University Royal Court Speaks Inspiration to Future Scholars
By Kayla Grant
The Howard University Royal Court poured power into the scholars at Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science (MS)2. Recently, In Truth and Service, our Collegiate Scholars made time instead of excuses, to speak with 6th and 7th graders about what it means to be an HBCU scholar, a King/Queen, and what a future in college can look like for them. The HU Royal Court was accompanied by the HU Residence Life Royal Court, and the Miss Krimson & Kream Royal Kourt. All courts were able to exemplify what it means to be royalty through their actions, words and deeds, and the (MS)2 scholars loved every second of it!
Pushing Beyond Fears of Perceived Failures Into Purposeful Achievements
By Ilinda Reese
Your present mindset is largely shaped by your past experiences—both positive and negative. Maybe you had a teacher who once said you weren’t creative, or perhaps you failed at something important, and it left a lasting mark. These experiences create filters through which you interpret the world, often limiting what you believe is possible for yourself.
My truth: I had been chipping away at my Master’s degree for a solid year and a half when the notice came. To continue, I would need to take the GRE test. I remember the knot in my stomach when I read those words. Still, I was determined. I bought one of those mammoth prep books— the kind that could double as a doorstop—and dove in.
At first glance, the material seemed manageable. But then, the math section stared back at me like an old nemesis. My mind immediately flashed to my earlier struggles with algebra—how I had taken the same class twice just to scrape by. That old voice, the one I thought I’d silenced, rose up again: “You’re not good at math. You never were. You’ll never be.”
Before I knew it, my subconscious had joined the conversation, piling on reasons to abandon the mission entirely. “You’ve just started your business—you don’t have time for this. And really, is this degree even what you thought it would be?” The rationalizations came swiftly and relentlessly, dressed up as wisdom but steeped in fear. And I believed them.
I decided to step away from my studies. I convinced myself it was a strategic pause, and it worked for a while. Months later, I found out the truth: I didn’t even need to take the
full Graduate Record Examination (GRE). All that was required was a subject test specifically tied to my field— and guess what? It wasn’t heavy on math at all. The sting of that realization hit hard, but it also came with clarity. I had let a limiting belief, born from a past experience, shape my future. I had underestimated my ability, overestimated the obstacle, and robbed myself of the opportunity to finish what I’d started.
But this isn’t a story of regret; it’s a story of learning. When I finally returned to school, I did so with a renewed sense of purpose, switching institutions and changing my major to something that truly aligned with my goals. The detour wasn’t wasted time—it was a chance to recalibrate and confront the beliefs that had held me back for far too long.
It’s important to realize that your past does not define your future. Just because you struggled with something once doesn’t mean you’re destined to struggle forever. The key is to see past experiences as lessons rather than proof of your limitations. “ You can’t unlock your potential with a key made of old beliefs.”
Excerpted from the upcoming book, “Break Up with Your B.S. The Journey from Self-Sabotage to Self-Mastery.”
Ilinda Reese, is an Author, International Speaker, and Transformational Coach. Linkedin://#profile/11436460imjreesources@aol.com
THE IMPACT OF STRENGTH TRAINING CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING
If you have never strength trained before, but you’re ready to start, there really is no wrong or right way. You can join a gym and learn from a personal trainer who can teach you all about using the equipment properly Or you can join an online trainer or coach and be a part of their virtual fitness community to learn about strength training. If you want to start by yourself at home, you can begin with body weight moves and add resistance bands for some additional challenge.
It’s up to you. The key is to start and to keep going. Interested in learning more?
Check out: Research Highlight by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.
Traci Townsend, is owner of Fitness With Traci, LLC and provides online strength and fitness coaching to women over 50. Contact her by email at Traci@fitnesswithtraci.com. Visit her website at https://www.fitnesswithtraci.com/. Follow her on social media on Instagram and YouTube.
FINDING MEANING IN ADVESITY
By Emoni Hudson
Earning a living in today’s financial climate is challenging; yet resourcefulness and hard work can secure weekly income, easing financial burdens and paving the way for stability. When faced with life’s difficulties, whether physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, or financial, feeling lost is understandable. Identifying these challenges is the first step, but finding support and answers can be daunting. However, remember that adversity unveils hidden opportunities.
When employment and income doors shut, creative means of income await discovery. Job loss, for instance, can be offset by temporary income streams like rideshare driving, handy work, grocery shopping services, clothes sales, tutoring, even babysitting. These avenues provide financial breathing room while pursuing long-term goals. Patience, dedication, and thorough research are essential to finding these opportunities. Once you find a temporary solution that works best for you, embrace it as a steppingstone on the path to higher income.
Celebrate every success, big or small, as these build confidence. Public Speaking Expert & Trainer, Sonal
Dave, states that confidence helps you become more resilient. She explains, “Not everything in life is going to go smoothly. There will be times when you will hit roadblocks and experience challenges. Confidence will put these challenges and potential failures into perspective. Making mistakes is all part of learning and by being more confident, you will take a more proactive approach in correcting them and making sure those mistakes do not happen again.”
Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn, the Senior Director of Workforce & International Labor Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, published an article on March 21, 2025, titled: Understanding America’s Labor Shortage. In this article, it states that right now, the latest data shows there are 8 million job openings in the U.S. but only 6.8 million unemployed workers. We have a lot of jobs but not enough workers to fill them. If every unemployed person in the country found a job, there would still be millions of open jobs. There are many factors contributing to a labor shortage. However, ultimately, if a person is determined and actively seeking, there will be a job available to them. This serves as further motivation and a reminder that job loss is not the end.
Confirm your calling and election!
Adversity is inevitable, but its timing and form are unpredictable. When it strikes, understand that it is only temporary unless you prolong it. Our reaction dictates its power. Therefore, acceptance not avoidance, is key for an effective approach. Consider job loss again: while temporary work provides stability during the search for a permanent, yet desirable position, skill development is also crucial.
To identify your strengths, consider:
• Current/previous job responsibilities
• Relevant education and past experiences
• Skills acquired in daily life
• Feedback from trusted individuals.
• Personal reflection on strengths and areas for improvement
• Formal skills assessments
Once you identify what your skills are, use them to move closer to your permanent position.
As we navigate the journey of self and career, moments of doubt may surface, prompting the question, “Why am I being overlooked?” It is then that we must consciously reaffirm our value. There are many ways to do this: practice self-care, cultivate a positive mindset, set healthy boundaries, limit social media consumption, etc. Remember, adversity does not define you, it refines you.
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble (2 Peter 1:10)”
provides creative and professional writing for organizations, businesses, corporations and agencies.
Emoni Hudson, is a freelance writer who
THE WISE PURPOSE ACADEMY: Bringing Hope and Transformation to Youths in Nigeria
By Ella Coleman
In a world filled with untapped potential and unrealized dreams, The Wise Purpose Academy (TWPA) stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. It is more than a program—it is a dynamic movement, a platform, and a revolution of purpose designed to awaken greatness in the hearts of young people. “We are nurturing a new generation of visionaries, builders, and leaders who will redefine their communities and reshape the world,” emphasized Pastor Prince Ikikah,
“
founder of TWPA, pastor of Altar of Hope Church, and author of Hope Daily Devotional.
Even as Ikikah talks, his belief and commitment to developing the potential in youths comes across strongly. “At The Wise Purpose Academy, we believe that every young person carries within them a seed of extraordinary potential. Our
Our vision is to create a world where young people are fully empowered to discover, develop, and fulfill their life purpose, achieving true fulfillment and making a transformative impact in their communities and beyond.”
-Pastor Prince Ikikah
Healing the Family Tree: Strategies & Spiritual Warfare for Replacing Inherited Disfunction with Healthy Behaviors
By Dr. Daniel Haupt
Every family walks through the door of lineage, down a street called legacy. Some streets shine with light—generational blessings like faith, wisdom, and strength. Others are shadowed by pain—cycles of brokenness, poverty, or addiction. Most of us live on a road built with both. This spiritual path is what I call the generational charisma of a family—the emotional and spiritual atmosphere passed from one generation to the next.
Deuteronomy 30:19 (AMP) says, “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, you shall choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.” Healing the family tree means intentionally choosing life and leading your family into blessings.
What Is Generational Charisma?
Generational charisma is more than talent or charm. It’s the unseen force that influences patterns—good or bad—across generations. Think of the biblical story of Jacob blessing his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48:13–19). Though Manasseh was the firstborn, Jacob prophetically laid his right hand on Ephraim, transferring a greater blessing. God’s plan broke tradition and created a new legacy.
Our families carry both spiritual inheritance and spiritual interference. Recognizing this is the first step toward healing.
Strategy 1: Lay Hands and Speak Life
The Bible teaches us to lay hands for blessing, healing, and impartation (Hebrews 6:1–2). Words carry power (Proverbs 18:21), especially when spoken by those with spiritual authority.
Action: Begin speaking life over your children and family. Bless them during milestones—birthdays, transitions, or trials. Break cycles with your voice and affirm their Godgiven identity.
Strategy 2: Activate Prayer and Repentance
Generational curses are broken through prayer, confession, and spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). Prayer is the gate through which healing flows.
Action: Confess family struggles. Renounce destructive patterns. Declare freedom through Galatians 3:13, 14: “Christ redeemed us from the curse… so that by faith we might receive the promise.”
Strategy 3: Live a Legacy of Holiness
Psalm 112:1, 2 says the children of the righteous will be mighty. Blessings don’t come just from what we say—they come from how we live.
Strategy 4: Build a Legacy with the Seeds of Your Time, Talent, and Treasure
Healing the family tree is not only about breaking what’s broken; it’s about building what’s blessed. Legacy is not left—it’s lived, daily, by planting intentional seeds of time, talent, and treasure into your family and community. Proverbs 13:22 (NLT) reminds us, “Good people leave an inheritance to his children’s children.” That inheritance is more than wealth—it’s wisdom, values, and opportunity.
Just as Abraham left altars of worship and obedience that shaped nations, you can build generational altars through sacrificial love, service, and generosity. Time invested in mentoring your children, serving others with your talents, and giving your treasure for kingdom causes all work together to establish a foundation on which future generations can stand.
Action: Evaluate where you are investing your daily energy. Start small—create a weekly family time to pray, serve in the local church with your unique gifts, or begin giving consistently to support family and faith-based missions. You are not just spending time—you are sowing legacy.
Final
Word
Your family legacy is not fixed. You are the interruption to dysfunction. You are the bridge to blessing. Healing your family tree starts with you—but it doesn’t end with you.
Call to Action: Download your free 31-Day Family Healing Prayer Guide at PrayFastDaily.org and activate the generational blessings over your family and home.
Dr. Daniel Haupt, is a Life Destiny Strategist, founder/vision pastor of Voice Of Destiny Ministries and PrayFastDaily. org, a strategic praying, fasting, teaching and training ministry. DenverDestinyCenter.org
Life Destiny Strategies with the Denver Destiny Center | Purpose Magazine
Embrace Sweet Freedom! A Life of Joy, Balance, and Abundance
By Trina Ramsey Lipscomb
“I
have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” -John 10:10
God never intended for us to live in a constant state of stress, exhaustion, or self-sacrifice at the expense of our well-being. Yet, so many of us—especially those called to serve—carry unnecessary burdens, pouring out love, energy, and time to others but not extending the same grace to ourselves.
That’s where Sweet Freedom comes in. It’s about releasing what no longer serves you—whether it’s toxic relationships, limiting beliefs, or selfimposed obligations—and stepping into the life of joy and purpose that God desires for you.
What Is Sweet Freedom?
Sweet Freedom requires an internal shift. It’s the courage to say no to things that drain you and yes to what fills your spirit. It’s choosing joy over duty, faith over fear, and grace over guilt.
Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. But if we’re always running on empty, how can we fully serve others? True abundance means honoring God’s call on your life while also honoring the temple He has given you— your body, mind, and soul.
Trina’s Story: Unapologetically Choosing Myself
For most of my life, I wore the mask of having it all together. Growing up in poverty in a small Pennsylvania town, the eldest of three girls in a single-mother household, I learned early how to hide my pain. My mother battled mental health issues, and my grandmother, who helped raise us, struggled with alcoholism. At 14, my world shattered—my mother took her life, and my grandmother passed away months later.
Despite these losses, I became “Superwoman,” determined to prove I wasn’t defined by my past. I excelled outwardly but struggled inwardly, haunted by imposter syndrome and a relentless fear of failure, bankruptcy, divorce, job loss—you name it, I faced it. Yet, I kept pushing, desperate to prove my worth.
Until now.
Then, God led me into a season of transformation. I learned to let go of shame and embrace my true worth—not because of what I achieve, but because of who I am in Christ. Today, I am free. I have a new husband who cherishes me, a thriving business, and a heart full of purpose. I am no longer proving myself—I am being myself. And that is the sweetest freedom of all.
Your Turn!
What’s holding you back from the abundant life God has for you? The need to please others? Fear of stepping into something new? A sense of duty with no room for joy?
Sweet Freedom isn’t just my story—it’s yours, too. Maybe it means setting boundaries, leaving what no longer serves you, or simply saying yes to joy. Whatever it looks like, I pray you’ll find the courage to claim it.
This is your invitation to reclaim your own peace, purpose, and joy. Because when you walk in God’s freedom, you are finally free to be who He created you to be.
Trina Ramsey Lipscomb, is CEO of the Just Do You Institute for Women’s Empowerment LLC. She is an executive, leadership and nonprofit coach and consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more about Trina’s Sweet Freedom Program and access free resources by visiting https://trinaramsey. com/sweet-freedom and https://justdoyouinstitute.com/ or @mycoachtrina on social media. Email: trina@mycoachtrina.com
BUILT WITH PURPOSE : A Blueprint for Black Men’s Health
By Dr. D, Your Career Doctor
As Black men, we were designed with purpose and crafted with intention. We are here to create, construct, and defend. However, in this process, there is a tendency to ignore the machinery we were given to do the very work: our bodies.
As men, we’re known for being strong. Also, we are known for the hustle and sacrifices we make. We’ll show up for everyone else while breaking down on the inside. But we call that survival. And what’s worse is—we were made for more than just surviving.
It’s time to make this personal. Let’s get intentional about our health. Not just for us, but for everyone who needs us to show up and be present.
Here is Dr. D’s three-point prescription to shift from survival to strength:
Protect Your Spiritual Health
Your spiritual health is your fundamental source. It powers how you show up in all aspects of life; at work, how you handle pressure, how you love, and how you heal. As Black men, having endured every kind of adversity, we carry the weight of generational trauma, societal expectations, and disappointments. Without a strong spiritual foundation, that weight can potentially crush us. Developing prayer as a habit is a good place to start. This does not have to be formal. Just talk to God wherever you are, silently when necessary.
Eat to Live, Don’t Live to Eat
Many of us have confused food as a source of convenience or a delicacy. It’s all too easy to access foods full of fats, caffeine, sugar, and chemicals that aren’t good for our bodies.
We were originally designed to eat as a form of living, but we’ve flipped the dynamic—now we live to eat whatever we want. I encourage you to examine ways to eat better so you can protect your body. You only have one.
In addition to eating better, it’s important to move your body. This includes going to the gym, walking, lifting, or doing any kind of exercise to stay in motion. Many diseases can be addressed by simply adding movement to your lifestyle.
If you’re struggling to make changes, start with a tiny habit. Example: “I plan to walk around the block four times after dinner, four days a week when the weather permits.” The goal line is longevity.
Listen
to
Your Body Like It’s Speaking Truth
(Because It Is) Look—it’s time for some real talk. Many of us don’t like to go to the doctor. How many times have we said, “I’m in pain, but I’m good”?
Let’s be real: that mentality will send us to the morgue quickly. It’s time out for minimizing symptoms and pushing through pain. Black men are often diagnosed late and treated too late because we delay care.
Don’t let pride cost you your future. The real “man-up” is following up with your doctor. You can’t hustle and provide from a hospital bed—or a casket. So, listen to your body and see the doctor.
Remember: You were built with purpose. Don’t let personal neglect and bad choices write your ending. The real hustle is protecting your health. If you want to develop some small habits to make life changes contact me at customer. service@yourcareerdoctor.com.
Derrick E. Haynes, PhD, is a charismatic leader, accomplished author, and seasoned executive coach dedicated to helping individuals and organizations thrive.
Purpose For Life Foundation (PFLF) is a nonprofit organization providing food, shelter, tuition, classes, and training to improve the lives of disadvantaged youths, adults, and families.
Purpose For Life Foundation (PFLF) is a nonprofit organization providing food, shelter, tuition, classes, and training to improve the lives of disadvantaged youths, adults, and families.
